“Thank you DC for everything,” tweeted Galiev today. “See
you next summer. Back to Saint John tonight.”

Galiev has had an eventful off-season with the
Capitals. He took part in the team’s summer development camp as well rookie and
training camp. He played for the Caps last night when they lost 2-0 to the
Nashville Predators in pre-season action.

“But the Caps have wanted the 6-1, 188-pounder to gain
strength in his lower body,” writes the Washington Examiner after last night’s
pre-season loss. “He needs to be able to hold off opposing defenders and keep
control of the puck and that was a weakness in his two development camps with
Washington. Galiev is improving in that area.”

Galiev was selected by Washington in the third round of
the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He signed an entry level deal with the team this
summer.

The 19-year old recorded 37 goals and 28 assists in 64
regular season games last year in Saint John. He had another 10 goals and 17
helpers 19 playoff games.

With Galiev back, Saint John’s offense improves quite
a bit.

The team is still missing forwards Jonathan Huberdeau,
Zack Phillips, Tomas Jurco, Stephen MacAulay, and Ryan Tesink due to NHL camps. Defensemen Pierre Durepos and Nathan Beaulieu and goaltender Mathieu Corbeil are still gone as well.

Saint John hosts the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Friday night
at Harbour Station.